Having worked on numerous projects whilst employed at a renowned interior design company, Ronald Suhartono embarked on his own journey in 2023. His firm, Ron Studio, an architecture and interior design studio based in Surabaya, was entrusted with the renovation of a Cultural Heritage residence in Malang, East Java. The following is an excerpt from Indonesia Design’s interview with the designer.
What was the brief from the homeowner?
He envisioned a colonial-style house where he could eventually live, with space for his children and grandchildren to visit during holidays. One of his key requests was to preserve the original structure as much as possible.
What was the scope of your work in this home renovation project?
We made minimal architectural alterations, only adding a few elements that didn’t significantly impact the building. These included a bathroom in the left alley of the smaller house, as well as reducing the living room area to give space for one more bedroom. In the back of the bigger house, we added a bathroom and a storage room. However, we made substantial changes to the interior design.
What were the significant differences between this project and your previous renovation projects?
This project was on a much larger scale than my previous ones, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Which part of the project was the most satisfying for you?
I’m particularly satisfied with the attic in the larger house because we were able to restore most of the original teak wood installed on the walls. Although we had to replace some sections with new wood, the difference is barely noticeable. Overall, I’m pleased that we managed to preserve the façade, especially since many colonial houses are being demolished due to loose regulations.
Could you tell us about your ongoing or upcoming exciting projects?
Currently, we are working on several mid-century-style residential projects in Batam, Jakarta, and Surabaya. Also, we are about to start a project in Semarang, Central Java, where we will build a replica of a colonial building that will be transformed into a restaurant.